Better Bets

Vinyl and linoleum are durable and waterproof, and come in a wide range of styles. Some of those styles make more sense than others. Tiles come in a variety of sizes and looks, and are easy to install.

You do, however, still run into some potential problems because of the seams between tiles and there is really no way to seal them against moisture.

Sheet vinyl or linoleum is a better bet, because you get the same moisture resistance and durability without the seams.

True Tile

While linoleum and vinyl tiles are sealed with glue, other tiles are sealed with grout.

Ceramic or stone tiles are an excellent choice for showers, pools and bathtubs. They are durable, water-resistant and look great.

One thing to keep in mind with this style is that having grout means cleaning grout, which can get tiresome depending on the amount of tile you have.

Best of the Best

So what’s your absolute, hands-down, ultimate top choice when it comes to bathroom flooring?

That’s right. Concrete.

If you are reading this and picturing a bathroom floor that looks a lot like your driveway, hold that thought. Today, concrete flooring is an increasingly popular choice, because it’s durable, can be sealed against water and is available in a variety of colors and tints.

And a concrete flooring doesn’t have to mean hard and cold. You can still install radiant heaters that warm the floor. Plus, throw rugs are a thing. And unlike carpet, you can pick them up and toss them in the wash if they get funky! Call it the best, with benefits.

Remodeling your bathroom brings a lot of tough decisions. Bath or shower? (Or combo?) What style of sink or vanity? Planning to paint? What color? Should you get new fixtures? Upgrade the toilet? (And is it worth the extra cost for self-cleaning?) How are you going to decorate?

And if that weren’t enough pressure, what are you going to do about the floor?

We can’t help with budgeting decisions, and many of the other choices are a matter of personal taste. But we can help with the flooring! We’ve got a two-part list, via Horizon Services, of bathroom flooring options ranked from worst to best!

Worst of the Worst

When it comes to bad choices for the bathroom floor, carpet is the worst of the worst. In fact, when we think of bathroom carpeting, two words come to mind.

EEEWWWWWWWWW!!

All right, that’s only one word. But it’s the right word.

Thanks to a combination of moisture and heating, mold and mildew will thrive, making your floor constantly damp and giving the whole room a dank, musty smell.

That’s what your bathroom carpet really looks like, on a microscopic level. Would almost make you want a shower… if you didn’t have to step out onto the carpet.

What About Wood?

While wood floors are popular, and aesthetically pleasing, they aren’t a good choice for the bathroom.

Parquet and tongue and groove floors are particularly ill suited for a damp bathroom; excess moisture will eventually cause the wood to warp and crack.

Laminate stands up better on the surface, but water can get through the cracks and seams to gather in the under-layer of the flooring. Engineered wood may be serviceable in a powder room or rarely used bathroom, but it won’t stand up to regular use in a main bathroom.

Wood reacts predictably when exposed to moisture, and it will eventually warp and support fungal growth.

We’ve covered the worst options when it comes to bathroom flooring. Click here for part two, with the best choices for your bathroom floor!